Made in Hyderabad

Ulrika Krishnamurti, the young actress was seen recently in a film by Aparna Malladi, ‘Anushree Experiments’, and before that as young Malathi in Nagesh Kukunoor’s ‘Rockford’. Primarily a theatre actor, Ulrika, a born Hyderabadi, and working in the UK, is currently touring England for her play, ‘Made in India’.

The play explores the commercialisation of surrogacy industry in India and the plight of the surrogate mothers. The intense emotional drama won two West End award nominations – for the Best Playwright – Satinder Chohan and Best Female Performance in a Play - Ulrika Krishnamurti, and is continuing to receive rave reviews.

‘Made in India’, is a play by British Indian writer Satinder Chohan, which was four years in the making before it was brought onto the stage this year by Tamasha Theatre Company in association with the Belgrade Theatre and Pilot Theatre. The play is directed by Katie Posner. It is a play about three women, set within the world of commercial surrogacy in India. Londoner Eva (played by Gina Isaac), desperate to have a baby after 11 years of failed treatments, looks to surrogacy to create life using her dead husband's sperm.

Fertility clinic owner Dr Gupta (played by Syreeta Kumar) is willing to take on her case, and matches her to a surrogate; Aditi (played by Ulrika Krishnamurti) is a young woman from a small village in Gujarat and chooses surrogacy as her lifeline out of poverty and debt (she is a widow and single mother of two). The play looks at how this scenario unfolds after the Indian government introduces a ban on commercial surrogacy.

The play has received an overwhelming response in the UK, including a sold out three weeks at the Soho Theatre in London. Ulrika speaks about the play and the lows and highs of working as a theatre actor in an exclusive email interaction.

What is your take on the play?
'Made in India' looks at the dynamics of the situation from angles that have perhaps been overlooked by mainstream media. So I think audiences are surprised to learn about the goings-on in the world of surrogacy and their empathies shift throughout between all three women in the story, as there isn't a simple way to look at this.

When was the role offered to you and what has been your experience?
We began rehearsals in December and it has been a rigorous learning experience ever since, with our brilliant all-female team. Initially, I wondered how one could create the world of rural Gujarat while so far away here in the UK, but I soon discovered that there is such a beauty in telling those stories here. I feel a responsibility to make these voices heard, and my admiration and respect for the character was amplified as I had to work harder to understand her world.

The play has had a three-month run all over the UK with shows in over 15 different venues. It's been great to have such diverse audiences and you really get to make a connection with an intimate piece like this.

When did you know you wanted to be an actor?
Being an actor was never something I considered seriously, but after years of trying to follow my instinct and returning time and again to the performing arts, I found myself gradually becoming an actor. I deeply respect the work and realised that it had to be all or nothing for me. I decided to go with 'all'!

How do you see yourself in future - as a theatre actor or a film actor?
I see myself working in physical theatre as easily as working in a film. It depends on what comes my way and what I am able to create. I think it's important to reach as many people as possible with any piece of work, especially if it carries a message you are passionate about.

How fulfilling is the career as an actor?
I think it is a career that can turn you into a floating fruit fly or an insanely grounded tree. I am more excited by the latter.

Who is your inspiration?
Literally everyone ever. I'm easily inspired!

What are your future plans?
For now, we are off on a rural tour of ‘Made in India’ in north east England.

By Rajeshwari Kalyanam